Question

A shipping company charges a $5 flat fee for a package, plus a fee based on the weight of the package. The company charges $1.50 per pound, plus an additional $0.50 for every pound over 5 pounds.

Jakob plans on sending a package that is over 5 pounds. He has $30 to spend on shipping. What is the maximum number of pounds that his package could be? Enter your answer as a decimal.
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pounds

Answer 1

14 pounds

Explanation:

Answer 2

13.75 pounds

Explanation:

Let the weight of the package be 'x' pounds.

Flat fee = $5

Charge of the package up to 5 pounds = 5*1.5 = $7.50

An additional charge $0.50 is added for every pound over 5 pounds. So, the charge of the package over every 5 pounds is 1.50 + 0.50 = $2.

Charge of the package above 5 pounds = (x - 5)* 2

= 2x - 10

Total cost = $30

Flat fee + Charge of the package up to 5 pounds + charge of the package above 5 pounds = 30

5 + 7.50 + 2x - 10 = 30

2x + 2.50 = 30

2x = 30 - 2.50

2x = 27.50

x = 27.50 ÷ 2

x = 13.75 pounds

Weight of the package could be 13.75 pounds.